Gardeners love compost for good reason—it turns scraps into rich, black gold that fuels vibrant growth. But here’s the twist: even the best compost can backfire if it goes into the soil at the wrong ...

Soil drives everything in a garden, yet most people focus only on what grows above ground. Rich, well-balanced soil fuels stronger roots, better water retention, and healthier plants from day one.

Starre Vartan is an environmental and science journalist. She holds an MFA degree from Columbia University and Geology and English degrees from Syracuse University. Cold composting is the process by ...